Technical> General Information> In-Floor Radiant Heat
In-floor radiant heat is becoming more popular as the primary heating system in this region. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning a wood floor over radiant heat:
- In-floor radiant heating systems must be 100% functional with working thermostats before the wood flooring installation begins. National Wood Flooring Association Guidelines call for hardwood flooring never to be hotter than 85ºF at its surface. Our manufacturers of engineered flooring call for the temperature never to exceed 82°F at the flooring surface. It is very important to understand what the requirements are for your new floor. Overheating traumatizes wood fibers causing stress fractures that may show up as small cracks in the surface of planks. Overheating the wood flooring will void the warranty.
- Overheating damage can also occur when a non-skid pad or rug that is too thick traps heat. Non-skid pads should be no more than 1/16” to 1/8” thick and should be made of perforated material so heat is not trapped. Consideration should be given to the thickness of the rug and/or rug and non-skid pad combination. Heat sensitive measuring strips are available to place under throw rugs to monitor temperatures.
- In rooms with cathedral ceilings an in-floor radiant heat system may be inadequate to heat the entire room without an additional heating source. In order to heat these large spaces in-floor radiant systems may be pushed to exceed the recommended temperature of the wood floor manufacturer and cause damage to the floor.
- Consideration should be given to installing thermostats to control the in-floor hot water temperature to reduce the chance of overheating the floor planks and causing damage.
- Design and construction of the heating system should allow for as many heating tubes as possible to distribute heat evenly throughout the floor and not cause hot spots.
- Covering up the flooring planks with sheet goods, such as Masonite, while at the same time running the in-floor radiant heat can trap the heat and overheat or "cook" the flooring, resulting in damage to the planks. Sensors are available to be installed in the flooring to shut off in-floor radiant heat when the temperature approaches the guideline temperature. Consult with your heating professional regarding the proper method of controlling in-floor heat.
- Wood flooring can be stressed and damaged by trying to bring the temperature of your house up too quickly with in-floor radiant heat. Thermostats should gradually be moved up to allow the wood floor to absorb heat slowly over the first 24-48 hours.
